Weed Sales In Locked-Down Illinois Top The Last 2 Months

Our state's first full month of lockdown resulted in more recreational marijuana sales than we had in February and March, when we were free to move around.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation says preliminary numbers show statewide adult-use cannabis sales in April totaled $37,260,497.89. Dispensaries across the state sold 818,954 items over the 30-day period. Sales to Illinois residents totaled $29,735,650.41, while sales to out-of-state residents totaled $7,524,847.47. These figures do not include taxes collected.

April sales topped March’s $36 million in sales and February’s approximately $35 million in sales. April’s sales trailed the $39.2 million in January, the first month of legalized adult sales.

When Gov. J.B. Pritzker on March 20 issued his stay-at-home order to battle spread of the coronavirus he allowed medical and adult use cannabis dispensaries to remain open as essential businesses. However, operators adapted to the new social situation by implementing online ordering systems, curbside pickup and social distancing in stores.

Toi Hutchinson, Pritzker’s adviser on cannabis, says the state’s top priority is to ensure consumers are safe when they go to a dispensary to buy marijuana.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced Illinois to delay awarding licenses for 75 new recreational cannabis dispensaries.